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Been in Wuhan for a week now with @ClaireYChe and @sarahchen. Watching the city emerge from lockdown offers us glimpses of scenes that will likely unfold elsewhere as other cities try to get their economies back on track. Here are some stories that shed light on what’s to come.
Tens of thousands of people rushed to get out of Wuhan when the coronavirus lockdown was lifted on Wednesday. So many lives had been put on hold for more than two months. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-08/chaos-and-joy-at-wuhan-airport-as-doctors-take-first-flights-out
Workers lined up to get tested for the virus before they’re allowed back at work. The government isn’t mandating it so many companies are doing it on their own because they can’t risk a single infection. One said they’re doing 6,000 tests a day. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-09/wuhan-workers-line-up-for-mass-testing-after-lockdown-lifted
We had to get tested ourselves in order to get back to Beijing. A nurse at the hospital told us there’s been a surge of people coming to do same so they can get back to work. Made a little video about the experience: https://twitter.com/quicktake/status/1248527757916733440
Inside Wuhan, people remain extremely cautious. Many are still afraid to go outside and face restrictions on movement. No one is eating in restaurants and shopping malls are empty even though they’ve reopened. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-05/-our-goal-is-to-survive-wuhan-cautiously-emerges-from-lockdown
The government is trying to stimulate spending across the country with a consumption campaign, but as @DD2_Li wrote earlier it isn’t taking off because people are worried about their health and finances. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-30/as-rest-of-world-locks-down-china-struggles-to-get-shoppers-out
Small-business owners are getting hit the hardest. Dozens of them staged a multi-day protest demanding exemptions on their rent during the lockdown, a sign of growing potential unrest. With @bylijing https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-10/wuhan-rent-protest-shows-unrest-brewing-in-china-after-lockdown
Still, a surprising bright spot for consumption: car dealerships told us they’re seeing strong demand as people see cars as safer than public transport. With our car guru Tian Ying. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-08/quick-rebound-in-wuhan-car-sales-give-hope-to-battered-industry
And Wuhan’s wet markets are also coming back to life. Read this smart myth-busting story by @KarolineCQKan who explains how they’re a vital source of food across China and Asia that are more akin to farmers’ markets. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-08/wuhan-is-returning-to-life-so-are-its-disputed-wet-markets
